Williams on song for Wales

The National staff

• Last Updated: November 21. 2009 9:58PM UAE / November 21. 2009 5:58PM GMT

Wales go into next week’s Test against Australia full of confidence after a 33-16 win over Argentina at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Shane Williams scored two second-half tries as Wales eventually saw off a dogged Argentina side.

Wales led 13-3 at the break as the fly-half Stephen Jones scored a try, a conversion and two penalties for the hosts. Williams then profited from a charged down kick to cross and, following Martin Rodriguez’s own charge down try, raced home from the halfway line after seizing a loose ball.

“We were fortunate that Argentina switched off, and we were able to capitalise,” said Williams. “We had a good victory – we need to up our skill levels, and we need to be more accurate. We’re looking forward to the Australia Test next week.”

Rodriguez picked up a try and kicked three penalties and a conversion to score all of Argentina’s points.

Wales have beaten Samoa and lost to New Zealand so far in the autumn internationals. Argentina lost to England last week.

The world champions South Africa got their European tour back on track with a 32-10 win over Italy in Udine yesterday.

The Springboks got off to a bright start as they tried to make up for last week’s 20-13 loss in France and defeats by English clubs Leicester and Saracens in warm-up games.

Wing Bryan Habana opened the scoring with a try in the fifth minute after Italy flanker Simone Favaro had been sinbinned for a late charge and then turned provider for centre Jaque Fourie to go under the posts.

Italy mustered a gritty response. Fly-half Craig Gower set up centre Gonzalo Garcia to go over in the 33rd minute and knocked over the conversion off a post to help make amends for missing a penalty and a drop goal attempt.

The hosts kept the pressure on the visitors after the break, causing huge problems in the scrum as they had against the All Blacks in last week’s brave 20-6 defeat in Milan.

Steyn eased the pressure with a penalty before scrum-half Fourie du Preez finished off a sweeping move to touch down in the 53rd minute and put South Africa firmly in charge.

Wynand Olivier wrapped up the win with a try in the closing stages.

* With agencies